Fluffy pumpkin pancakes with a cinnamon roll swirl and whipped maple cinnamon butter. High in protein thanks to cottage cheese, no protein powder needed.
Start with the whipped maple cinnamon butter so it's ready when you serve. Beat the softened butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla together in a medium bowl with a whisk or mixer until well combined and fluffy. Keep at room temperature until serving, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.
Make the pancake batter by whisking the buttermilk, pumpkin puree, eggs, cottage cheese, vanilla and maple syrup together, then mixing in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice and salt until just combined.
For the cinnamon swirl, stir the cinnamon into 2 tablespoons of the pancake batter and spoon it into a piping bag.
Melt a little butter in a pan. Scoop or pour about ¼ cup of batter per pancake onto the pan and cook for 1 minute.
Starting in the middle, pipe a spiral of the cinnamon swirl into each pancake, pushing it in slightly.
Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip gently and cook for another 1 to 3 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Per pancake (without the whipped butter): approx. 99 kcal · 4.3g protein · 18g carbs · 1g fat. Cottage cheese does the protein work here, no powder needed.